Free Royal Secrets by Traci Hunter Abramson Page B

can support a marriage I know is a mistake.”
    “A mistake?” Garrett repeated, a little taken back by the man’s directness, although impressed by the diligence with which he was determined to look out for his daughter.
    “You’ve known my daughter for some time. You must know how important her religious beliefs are to her.”
    “I do. In fact, her strength of faith as well as her kindness and generosity are among the qualities I most admire.”
    “Do you understand her beliefs?”
    Garrett nodded in understanding. He sat up straighter in the saddle. “Would it change things if I were Mormon?”
    “Of course it would change things.” Janessa’s father scowled at him. “Janessa obviously loves you, or she wouldn’t have agreed to marry you, but it breaks my heart that she’s giving up on finding someone who can give her everything she’s always dreamed of.”
    Garrett’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “So you would give us your blessing if we were getting married in the temple.”
    “That’s right.”
    “Then thank you,” Garrett said, his tone matter-of-fact.
    Scott’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean ‘thank you’?”
    “If all goes as planned, the Meridian temple will be completed within the year. That is where we hope to marry.”
    Confusion and a glimpse of compassion crossed Scott’s face. “You know that even royalty can’t go into the temple without being Mormon.”
    “I know. I am a member of the Church.”
    “What?” Scott blinked rapidly and shook his head. “My wife’s been reading every article she can find about you and Janessa. No one ever mentioned you being Mormon.”
    “I guess you could say that this information is still classified.”
    “Why’s that?”
    “Right now, I’m second in line to the throne. Church and state have been separate for some time, but our citizens don’t always perceive things as they really are. The change in my religion could cause political ramifications. So far, I’ve been able to keep my baptism private.”
    Scott was silent for a moment, and his eyebrows drew together. “Are you being private, or are you embarrassed that you’ve converted to the Church?”
    “Private,” Garrett insisted. “My decision to keep this information out of the public eye is as much for your daughter’s safety as it is for my own.”
    “What does your religion have to do with Janessa’s safety?”
    “Religious freedom is relatively new to Meridia, and we have no idea how our citizens will take the news that they now have a Mormon prince,” Garrett told him. “With all the media attention we’re receiving right now, we’re more vulnerable to security concerns than would normally be the case.” Garrett hesitated and then added, “In fact, I hope you can give me your word that what I have told you will stay between us.”
    Scott stared down at the cattle for a moment before turning his attention back to Garrett. “My wife needs to know, but if you want to keep her brothers and sisters in the dark for now, I’ll leave that up to you.” He shook his head. “You sure live in a different world than we do.”
    “I suppose I do,” Garrett conceded. “But you should be proud of how well your daughter moves between our worlds.”
    He chuckled. “Janessa has always been one to do things her own way, but I’ve always been proud of her.”
    Garrett managed to smile. “So what do you say? Can you give us your blessing?”
    Scott nudged his mount closer to Garrett and extended his hand. “I suppose she could have done worse.”
    Now Garrett laughed and shook hands with his future father-in-law. “Thank you, sir.”
    “Welcome to the family.”

Chapter 10
    Alora’s cheeks still burned as she followed Martino across a tiled entryway and up a wide, sweeping staircase. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t even been on the grounds for two minutes before stumbling across royalty. She had realized, of course, that eventually she would meet Prince Garrett, but